“Which you two always seem to be.” Something curious traipsed through her demeanor, her head angling to the side in speculation.
“Because we live in a town the size of a shoe box. I’m in the same place with a whole lot of people a whole lot of the time.”
Okay, fine. It wasn’t that small. There were plenty of people here I hadn’t met before, especially since Time River had gone through a boom.
No surprise since in my humble opinion it was the most beautiful town in the country. I honestly couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
“Well, at any rate, it was good he was there. You aren’t exactly dressed for working on cars. You sure look beautiful, though.”
I always tried to dress up a little bit when I was in the restaurant since I was the owner.
I’d warred for a lot of years with my appearance, but I’d gotten over that a long time ago.
The comparison game.
Thinking I was less.
Sure, sometimes the scars from the taunts when I was younger got the best of me, and those insecurities still snuck up on me every once in a while, but not today. Because I did feel beautiful, and I freaking loved this dress. “Thanks, Mom.”
“I mean it,” she rambled as she turned back into the kitchen. “Now are we going to eat or what? I invited your brother and sister, but both have plans tonight, so it’s just us.”
“As long as it’s as good as the pot roast that was the special at the café tonight,” I teased as I finished straightening the pillows on the couch then took Kayden’s hand to follow her.
She tossed me a big smirk as she stirred something that smelled delicious on the stove. “And who was it who helped you create that recipe? Now sit your cute butt down and let your mom take care of her little girl.”
Moving to her side, I wound my arm around her waist and set my head on her shoulder. “Thank you. I hope you know how much I truly appreciate you.”
She pressed her cheek to mine. “I know that, Dakota. And I hope you know how much I love you and want the best for you. The only thing I ask in return is that you keep chasing after joy, and don’t you dare ever stop. And I’ll be right here with you every step of the way.”
I gulped around the knot that suddenly felt heavy at the base of my throat. “I won’t.”
THREE
RYDER
I eased my bike into the parking lot of my shop. Night had taken hold, the sky strewn with a smattering of stars, the moon barely climbing from the horizon and casting a faint glow over the earth.
The industrial building was set back from the road, nothing but a big metal box backed by trees that extended beyond the property line.
Black windows fronted it, and a large sign hung above the double doors that led into the front office.
Nash Metalwork Designs.
Disgust pulled so hard at my ribs it was a wonder I didn’t bust apart.
I was so fucking proud of what I’d built.
Of the beauty I created with my hands.
But it was the underbelly of it that made me sick.
The chains that held me hostage.
Chest feeling like it might cave, I wound my bike around the right side of the building. The grumbling engine broke through the quiet that clung to the dense air, this side of town that housed manufacturing shops and warehouses pretty much shut down for the night.
Three massive garage doors lined this side, and the pavement extended out so trailers could be backed into the bays so customers could pick up whatever custom pieces they’d ordered if I wasn’t the one delivering it.
Anything metal was my specialty.
Mostly I made custom doors, gates, and fences plus different types of displays, shelves, and counters for local businesses. Every once in a while, I designed special pieces for cars and motorcycles, and it wasn’t rare that I worked on horse trailers and the like, designing something to turn heads for the horse dealers and rodeo stars to haul their prized possessions around in.
Tonight, a pickup truck and trailer waited near the far door at the end of the side lot.
Blood pounded through my veins as I eased my bike to a stop beside it. The spray of my headlight tossed a murky light over the man who was leaning against the building next to the door.
Dressed in dark jeans and a tee-shirt like he was a legit customer here to do business.
Hands stuffed casually in his pockets and head rested back on the metal.
But there was nothing about him that was legitimate.
Hatred lined his face and greed was set deep in the brown of his eyes.
Animosity thumped through my bloodstream. Adrenaline that surged and rushed as I nudged out the kickstand and killed the engine of my bike.